One-third of people with rheumatoid arthritis is at high risk of repeated falls

 One in three people with rheumatoid arthritis will fall one or more times a year regardless of their age, shows new research from the University of Manchester published in Arthritis Care and Research.

A total of 559 people with rheumatoid arthritis between the ages of 18 years – 88 years were tracked for a year and their falls recorded.

More than half of the falls resulted in serious injury and 10% caused fracture or serious head injury. People who have fallen once are three times more likely to fall again within a year, due to previous injuries and increased fear of falling.

Health visitors need to refer those at risk to a falls clinic or physiotherapy; risk factors include fatigue, swollen and tender limb joints and the use of psychotropic medication for problems such as anxiety, depression and sleeping problems.

“Our study successfully shows adults with rheumatoid arthritis are at a high risk of repeated falls,” highlights Emma Stanmore, lead researcher. “Increased fear of falling and injuries can lead to sedentary behaviour which in turn decreases muscle strength – one of the most common factors that contribute to falls.

“We’ve shown that falls in people with the condition aren’t just random – falls can be predicted and possibly prevented by assessing and treating a number of risk factors in adults with the condition.

“We hope our findings will be used for further research to develop a falls prevention programme which could include exercises to target lower limb muscle strength and challenge balance along with a review of medication.”